Hand lift truck



al. B7 24 .l u l 24 A a wf A@ (A U 7 LW April 19 1955 J. M. MARSHALL 2,706,535

HAND LIFT TRUCK Filed sept. 2s, 1954 -3 j# BY United States Patent O HAND LIFT TRUCK James M. Marshall, Long Beach, Calif., assigner of onehalf to Frank L. Rogers, Long Beach, Calif.

Application September 23, 1954, Serial No. 457,902

10 Claims. (Cl. IS7-9) This invention relates to a jack operated lift truck and it is a general object of the invention to provide a truck particularly adapted for use in handling furniture, or the like.

Hithertofore hand trucks have been large, heavy and cumbersome implements which require considerable space for successful operation and storage. The above is particularly true of hand trucks which include jacks or mechanical Work lifting mechanisms.

It is an object of my invention to provide a hand truck including a jack type lifting mechanism that is small, light and compact and which requires a minimum of space for use or operation and for storage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jack operated hand truck which is both easily and quickly operated and which requires no special skill to be successfully operated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand truck of the character described which is both easy and economical of manufacture and which includes but few, simple, dependable parts.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of hand trucks of the character referred to that can be advantageously cooperatively related to the large unitary piece of work to suitably support the Work for easy moving thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand lift truck construction that, when once applied to a piece of work, cooperatively engages the work so as to support and maintain itself in proper working position without the exercise of external forces.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, throughout which description references are made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a piece of furniture and showing the piece of furniture engaged and supported in an elevated position by a pair of hand trucks as provided by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevataional view of a hand truck construction provided by the present invention and taken substantially as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. 1 and showing the piece of furniture removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of my hand truck construction and is a View taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailed sectional view showing a ratchet mechanism provided by the present invention and taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing another, or second ratchet mechanism, and taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. 2.

The hand lift truck construction A, provided by the present invention, is in the nature of a flat, vertically disposed, rectangular structure adapted to be arranged adjacent to one side of a piece of work to engage and lift the work. The construction is provided at its lowermost end with a pair of caster wheels W so that the work, when engaged and lifted, can be advantageously moved from one location to another.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings I have illustrated a pair of my lift trucks A cooperatively related to the opposite ends of a typical davenport B and holding the davenport in an elevated position from the floor F so that the entire set-up is wholly supported by the pairs of caster wheels W and can be advantageously moved across the oor F.

The hand truck A as provided by the present invention includes, generally, a frame C shiftably carried by the pair of caster wheels W to project upwardly therefrom, a carriage D slidably carried by the frame C to shift vertically therein, a support E slidably carried by the carriage to shift vertically therein and provided with workengaging parts, actuating means G adapted to shift the support relative to the frame and the carriage and jack means H adapted to actuate the carriage to shift the support vertically relative to the frame.

The frame C as provided by the present invention is an elongate vertically disposed, inverted ,U-shaped member having an elongate horizontally disposed head beam 10 at its upper end, like elongate vertically disposed legs 11 at each end of the beam and depending therefrom to occur in spaced parallel relationship relative to each other. The legs 11 of the frame C are provided with inwardly opening, opposed, longitudinal grooves 12 coextensive with the longitudinal extent of the legs.

In the particular case illustrated, the frame C is further provided with laterally projecting extensions or feet 13 at the lower terminal ends of each leg 11 to establish suitable mountings for the caster wheels W, which caster wheels are provided with upwardly projecting mounting pins 14 engaged in the lower or bottom sides of the feet 13 so that the wheels occur below and support the frame above the licor F upon which the structure rests.

The carriage D adapted to be slidably carried by the frame C to shift vertically therein, is a simple, inverted, U-shaped member including a horizontally disposed header 15 arranged between the legs 11 of the frame C to occur in vertically spaced parallel relationship to the beam 10 of the frame, elongate side members 16 depend from the ends of the header to occur adjacent the legs 11 of the frame and in parallel relationship With the legs and with each other.

Each side member 16 of the carriage D is provided with a laterally projecting rib 17 engageable in the groove 12 on the adjacent leg 11 of the frame and is adapted to guide the carriage in the frame and to prevent displacement of the carriage from the frame. Each side member 16 of the carriage D further includes a laterally inwardly opening channel 18 extending therealong from one end to the other.

The work engaging support E carried by the carriage D to shift vertically therein includes an elongate horizontally disposed body 19, a flat, vertically disposed work engaging plate 20 and horizontally disposed work engaging projec-tions 21.

The body 19 is a simple elongate horizontally disposed blocklike part engaged between the side members 16 of the carriage to occur in parallel relationship with and spaced below the header 15 of the carriage. The body 19 is provided with laterally projecting vertically disposed keys 22 at its opposite ends. The keys 22 are slidably engaged in the channels 1S in the side members 16 of the carriage to guide the support in the carriage and prevent displacement of the support from the carriage.

The work engaging plate 20 is a simple, flat, vertically disposed member secured lto the side of the b ody 19 which opposes the work and which I will refer to as the front side. In the particular case illustrated, the plate is shown secured to the body 19 by a plurality of screw fasteners 23, and is of such lateral extent as to project beyond the ends of the body and overliethe front sides of the carriage D and the frame C. y

The work engaging projections 21 of the support E are simple, straight, horizontally disposed parts secured to the lower edge portion of the plate 21 to project forwardly therefrom. In the particular case illustrated, I have shown two like projections 21 secured to opposite ends of the plate so that they project from the plate in spaced laterally parallel relationship to each other.

The actuating means G adapted to raise or shift the support E relative to the frame and the carriage includes generally, a ratchet rod 24, a handle 27 and a releasable latch mechanism 31. The ratchet rod 24 is an elongate vertically disposed member rotatably connected to the support body 19 to project upwardly therefrom and extend freely through vertical openings and 26 in the carriage header 15 and the frame beam 1t), to terminate at a point spaced above the frame C where it is provided with the handle 27. The rod 24 is round in cross sectional conguration and is provided along one side with a plurality of vertically spaced, substantially V-shaped notches 28 defining downwardly facing, upper faces 29 and upwardly inclined, lower faces 30. The rod 24 is normally arranged in the structure so that the notches 28 therein are faced or open rearwardly.

The releasable latch mechanism 31 of the actuating means G is shown as a simple spring actuated latch pivotally related to the frame C and adapted to normally engage the notched ratchet rod 24. The latch mechanism 31 is shown as including an elongate, substantially vertically disposed arm 33 with a forwardly curved upper end portion establishing a head 34 adapted to engage in the notches 28 of the ratchet rod 24, and a substantially straight lower end portion establishing a sui-table handle 35 adapted to be engaged by the operator to disengage the head 34 from engagement with the ratchet rod 24. The arm 33 is shown pivotally connected to a mounting plate 36 on the beam 1() by means of a pivot pin 37. The plate 36 is shown secured to the rear side of the beam 10 by means of screw fasteners 38. The latch mechanism illustrated is further provided with a suitable spring 39 engaged between lthe mounting plate 36 and the arm 33 and acting to normally yieldingly urge and hold the head 34 of the latch in engagement with the ratchet rod 24.

It will be apparent from the above that when the rod 24 is shifted vertically relative to the frame C, the head 34 of the latch 31 overrides the notches 28 in the rod, and that downward movement of the rod 24 relative to the frame is normally, positively stopped by engagement of the latch head 34 in one of the notches 28 in the rod.

It is to be understood that the particular latch mechanism 31 shown and described can, in practice, be varied Widely in form and construction, that is, any other suitable latch or releasable ratchet pawl mechanism can be employed if desired.

From the above, it will be apparent that upon engaging the handle 27 on the upper end of the ratchet rod 24, the operator of the hand truck can easily and quickly raise the support E and into engagement with a piece of work, and that the support E is suitably maintained in engagement with the work and in said raised relationship by the releasable latch mechanism 31 secured to the frame. The carriage E is, in effect, supported from the beam 10 of the frame C by the ratchet rod 24.

The jack means H adapted to actuate the carriage D and to further raise or shift the support E relative to the frame C, includes generally, a crank 40 connected to the frame C, a link 42 connecting the crank to the carriage D and a pawl mechanism 43 secured to the f carriage and engageable with the ratchet rod 24.

The crank 40 is shown as a simple bell crank lever pivotally connected to the lower end portion of one of the legs 11 of the frame C by means of a suitable pivot pin 41. The crank 40 is arranged relative to `the leg 11 to occur adjacent the back side thereof and has an outer elongate lever arm 143 projecting laterally outward from the frame C and an inner elongate lever arm 44 projecting substantially laterally inward from the leg 11 of the frame to which the crank is connected.

The inner terminal end of the inner lever arm 44 terminates at a point spaced between the side members 16 of the carriage D, to occur below a suitable anchor bar 45 secured to and extending between the side members 16 of the carriage and adapted to provide a suitable connecting point for the link 42, spaced between the side members of the carriage.

The link 42 is a simple elongate member having one of its ends pivotally connected to the inner terminal end of the inner lever arm 44 of the crank 40 and its other end pivotally connected to the anchor bar 45 at a point spaced between the side members 16 of the carriage D, and is adapted to establish driving connection between the crank 40 and the carriage D,

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown the link 42 connected to the anchor bar 45 slightly olfset from the central vertical axis of the structure and the lever arms 42 and 44 of the crank 40 somewhat shorter than they might be in actual reduction to practice. In the preferred carrying out of the invention, the link 42 is preferably pivotally connected to the anchor bar 45 at a point mid-way between the side members 16 of the carriage so that the forces exerted by the crank and link onto or through the carriage D, will not cause misalignment and binding of the carriage in the frame C.

The pawl mechanism 43 of the jack means H is secured to the header 15 of the carriage D and is shown as including an elongate vertically disposed, U-shaped body 46, having like vertically disposed rearwardly projecting side walls and provided with a mounting bracket 47 at its upper end and a ratchet rod guide 4S at its lower end. The mounting bracket 47 at the upper end of the body 46 is releasably secured to the carriage header 15 by suitable screw fasteners so that the body 46 of the pawl mechanism depends from the header 15 to occur below the header and embraces the ratchet rod 24. The rod guide 43 at the lower end of the U-shaped body is in the nature of a tubular extension on the body and surrounds the ratchet rod 24 to maintain the rod and the ratchet mechanism in proper cooperative relationship to each other. The U-shaped body 46 carries a substantially rearwardly and upwardly projecting pawl 49 pivotally supported by a pivot pin 50, which pin is secured to extend between the side walls of the body. The pawl 49 normally enters the forwardly opening notches 28 in the ratchet rod 24 to engage the upper faces 29 thereof and stops or checks downward movement of the rod relative to the frame.

The pawl mechanism 43 further includes a suitable spring 51 adapted to normally yieldingly urge the pawl 49 into engagement with the notches 28 of the ratchet rod 24.

ln the preferred carrying out of the invention the outer lever arm 143 of the crank 40 is provided with a suitable pedal 52 adapted to be engaged by a foot of the operator to actuate the jack means H.

From the above, it will be seen that upon depressing the outer lever arm 143 of the bell crank 4), as by stepping on the pedal 50, the carriage D is urged upwardly relative to the frame C. Upon upward movement of the carriage in the frame the pawl mechanism 43 of the jack means H engages the ratchet rod 24 to urge the rod upwardly relative to the frame C, during which movement the latch head 34 of the actuating means G ride over the lower faces 30 of the notches 2S in the ratchet rod, with the result that the support E on the lower end of the rod and the work engaged thereby, is elevated.

Upon release of the crank 40, the rod 24 is engaged by the latch head 34 of the actuating means G and is prevented from moving downwardly relative to the frame C, while the weight of the carriage D and the jack means H causes the carriage D to drop relative to the frame C, ratchet rod 24 and the support E, during which operation, the pawl 49 of the jack means G ride over the lower faces 30 of the notches 28 in the ratchet rod 24.

It will be apparent from the above, that the support E and the work engaged thereby, can be advantageously elevated to any desired position relative to the frame C by repeated actuation of the jack means H.

It will also be apparent that by manually releasing the latch mechanism 31. of the actuating means G, and by depressing and maintaining sulicient pressure on the pedal 52 of the jack means H, the operator of the truck can lower the carrier E and work supported thereby, slowly and gently.

As pointed out above, the ratchet rod 24 is pivotally connected to the support E and passes freely through the openings 25 and 26 in the carriage header 15 and frame beam 10. In the particular case illustrated, the rod 24 is shown extending through a suitable vertical opening 60 in the support body 19 and is provided with a suitable stop nut 61 and washer 62 at its lower terminal end that engage the bottom side of the body 19 to prevent withdrawal of the rod from the body.

With the above relationship of parts, it will be seen that when the support E is elevated and it is desired to lower it quickly, the operator can rotate the ratchet rod 24 so that the notches 28 therein are moved out of engagement with the head 34 and the pawl 49 of the actuating means G and the jack means H, with the result that the support E is free to move downwardly to a completely unactuated position where it engages and rests on the floor F.

In the particular case illustrated, the bottom side of the support body 19 is provided with a recess 63 to accommodate the stop nut and the washer 61 and 62, so that the said nut and washer do not eagage the oor when the support E is in its lowermost o unactuated position.

It is to be understood that the connection between the ratchet rod 24 and the support E can, in practice, vary widely in form and construction and could, if desired, include a suitable spring means to normally yieldingly urge, or maintain the rod 24 in proper rotative working relationship with the head and the pawl of the means G and H.

In practice, or in use, when it is desired to elevate and move a piece of work, such as a piece of furniture, the lift truck A that I provide is operated to its unactuated position, that is, the support E thereof, is lowered to a position where it engages or rests on the floor F. The hand truck A is then arranged adjacent the piece of furniture to be moved, so that the front side of the truck is flush with a side of the piece of furniture and the horizontal work engaging projections thereof extend beneath the piece of furniture. If the said piece of furniture, rests directly on the oor, the operator of the truck actuates the jack mechanism H, in the manner described above, with the result that the support E engages and raises the piece of furniture clear of the oor F, where it is wholly supported by the caster wheels W on the lower end of the truck frame C. If the piece of furniture is normally clear of the floor F, the operator of the truck can initially engage the handle 27 on the ratchet rod 24 and operate the actuating means G to quickly raise the support E into engagement with the piece ot' work, whereupon the jack means can be employed or operated in the manner described to lift the work clear of the oor.

The frame C of the truck A is vertically disposed, and as pointed out above, it is adapted to be engaged in iiat bearing engagement with the piece of work that is to be moved, while the work engaging projections 21 are horizontally disposed and are adapted to engage the underside of the piece of work and carry the weight of the work. With the above relationship of parts, it will be apparent that when the truck is in operation, the weight of the work on the projections 21 tends to rotate or tip the frame C towards the work and thereby holds and maintains the truck frame engaged therewith.

To insure against disengagement of the work engaging projections 21 of the support E from beneath the piece of work, suitable teeth 60, or other like work gripping means, can be provided on the projections 21 of the support E.

To prevent the frame from tipping backwards, or away from the work, I have provided suitable strap means 70 on the sides of the frame C adapted to strap the frame to the work when necessary.

For instance, where the piece of work being handled, has at, smooth surfaces, 1 have provided forwardly facing rubber suction cups 71 on the frame C, which cups are adapted to be forced into engagement with the work and to hold the frame engaged therewith. The suction cups 71 further establish suitable bumpers and prevent the frame of the truck damaging or marring the work being handled.

To afford a more rugged construction and to prevent spreading of the legs 11 of the frame C, I have provided my structure with a suitable elongate tie bar 80 extending between the lower end portions of the frame legs 11. The ends of the tie bar 80 are shown secured to the rear sides of the legs 11 by means of suitable screw fasteners 81. The middle portion of the tie bar 80 occurring between the legs 11 of the frame is shown rearwardly orrset from the frame so that it clears and in no way interferes with the lever and link of the jack means H, which occurs immediately adjacent the rear side of the truck construction.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A hand lift truck of the character described including, a frame, a carriage in the frame to shift vertically relative thereto, a work engaging support in the carriage to shift relative thereto, a ratchet rod xed to the carriage, a releasable latch mechanism on the frame engaging the rod to check downward movement of the support and the rod relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism on the carriage engaging the rod to check upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and a crank carried by the frame and connected to the carriage to shift he carriage rod and support vertically relative to the rame.

2. A hand lift truck of the character described including, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame, caster wheels secured to the lower end of the frame to support the frame, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engaged in the frame to shift vertically relative thereto, a work support engaged in the carriage to shift vertically relative thereto, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and through the carriage and frame, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the frame to engage the rod and preventing downward movement of the rod and the support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the carriage to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and the support and a crank carried by the frame and connected to the carriage to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame.

3. A hand lift truck of the character described including, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame, caster wheels secured to the lower end of the frame to support the frame, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engaged in the frame to shift vertically relative thereto, a work support engaged in the carriage to shift vertically relative thereto, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and through the carriage and frame, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the frame to engage the rod and preventing downward movement of the rod and the support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the carriage to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and the support and a crank carried by the frame and connected to the carriage to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame, the rod terminating above the frame and provided with a handle to lift the rod and the support upwardly relative to the frame and carriage.

4. A hand lift truck of the character described including, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame, caster wheels secured to the lower end of the frame to support the frame, a vertically disposed inverted U- shaped carriage engaged in the frame to shift vertically relative thereto, a work support engaged in the carriage to shift vertically relative thereto, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod rotatably secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and through the carriage and frame, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the frame to engage the rod and preventing downward movement of the rod and the support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the carriage to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and the support and a crank carried by the frame and connected to the carriage to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame, said rod adapted to be rotated out of engagement with said latch and pawl mechanisms to lower the support relative to the frame.

5. A hand lift truck of the character described including, a vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame, caster wheels secured to the lower end of the frame to support the frame, a vertically disposed inverted U- shaped carriage engaged in the frame to shift vertically relative thereto, a work support engaged in the carriage to shift vertically relative thereto, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod rotatably secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and through the carriage and frame, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the frame to engage the rod and preventing downward movement of the rod and the support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the carriage to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and the support and a crank carried by the frame and connected to the carriage to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame, the rod projecting upwardly to terminate above the frame and provided with a handle at its upper end to lift the rod and support relative to the frame and to rotate the rod to disengage the latch and the pawl mechanisms and permit downward movement of the support in the frame.

6. A hand lift truck of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame with an elongate horizontally disposed beam at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel legs, depending from ends of the beam, the legs having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal grooves, a caster wheel secured to the lower end of each leg and supporting the frame, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engageable between the legs of the trarne to shift vertically relative thereto and including, an elongate horizontally disposed header at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel side members depending from the ends of the header, the side members having laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs engageable in the grooves in the legs and having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal channels, a work engaging support engaged between the side members of the carriage to shift vertically therebetween, the support having keys engageable in the channels in the said side members, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and extending through the header and beam, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the beam to engage the rod and prevent downward movement of the rod and support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the head to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and support, and a crank pivotally carried by the frame and connected to the carriage and adapted to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame.

7. A hand lift truck of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame with an elongate horizontally disposed beam at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel legs, depending from ends of the beam, the legs having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal grooves, a caster wheel secured to the lower end of each leg and supporting the frame, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engageable between the legs of the frame to shift vertically relative thereto and including, an elongate horizontally disposed header at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel side members depending from the ends of the header, the side members having laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs engageable in the grooves in the legs and having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal channels, a work engaging support engaged between the side members of the carriage to shift vertically therebetween, the support having keys engageable in the channels in the said side members, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and extending through the header and beam, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the beam to engage the rod and prevent downward movement of the rod and support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the head to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and support, and a crank pivotally carried by the frame and connected to the carriage and adapted to shift the carriage, the rod and the support vertically relative to the frame, the rod terminating above the frame and provided with a handle to lift the rod and the support upwardly relative to the frame and carriage.

8. A hand lift truck of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame with an elongate horizontally disposed beam at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel legs, depending from the ends of the beam, the legs having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal grooves, a caster wheel secured to the lower end of each leg and supporting the frame, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engageable between the legs of theframe to shift vertically relative thereto and including, an elongate horizontally disposed header at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel side members depending from the ends of the header, the side members having laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs engageable in the grooves in the legs and having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal channels, a work engaging support engaged between the side members of the carriage to shift vertically therebetween, the support having keys engageable in the channels in the said side members, an elongate verticallydisposed ratchet rod rotatably secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and extending through the header and beam, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the beam to normally engage the rod and prevent downward movement of the rod and support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the head and adapted to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and support, and a crank pivotally carried by the frame and connected to the carriage and adapted to shift the carriage, the rod and the support vertically relative to the frame, said rod adapted to be rotated out of engagement with said latch and pawl mechanisms to lower the support relative to the frame.

9. A hand lift truck of the character described including, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame with an elongate horizontally disposed beam at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel legs, depending from ends of the beam, the legs having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal grooves, a caster wheel secured to the lower end of each leg and supporting the frame, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage engageable between the legs of the frame to shift vertically relative thereto and including, an elongate horizontally disposed header at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel side members depending from the ends of the header, the side members having laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs engageable in the grooves in the legs and having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal channels, a work engaging support engaged between the side members of the carriage to shift vertically therebetween, the support having keys engageable in the channels in the said side members, an elongate vertically disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and extending through the header and beam, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the beam to engage the rod and prevent downward movement of the rod and support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the head to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and support, and a crank pivotally carried by the frame and connected to the carriage and adapted to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame, the rod projecting upwardly to terminate above the frame and provided with a handle at its upper end to lift the rod and support relative to the frame and to rotate the rod to disengage the latch and pawl mechanisms and permit downward movement of the support in the frame.

10, A hand lift truck of the character described having vertically disposed front and rear sides including, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped frame with an elongate horizontally disposed beam at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel legs, depending from ends of the beam, the legs having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal grooves, the caster wheel secured to the lower end of each leg and supporting the frame, an elongate vertically disposed inverted U-shaped carriage e11- gageable between the legs of the frame to shift vertically relative thereto and including, an elongate horizontally disposed header at its upper end and laterally spaced parallel side members depending from the ends of the header, the side members having laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal ribs engageable in the grooves in the legs and having laterally inwardly opening longitudinal channels, a work engaging support engaged between the side members of the carriage to shift vertically therebetween, including, an elongate horizontally disposed body with vertical keys at its ends engageable in the channels in the side members, a flat vertically disposed work engaging plate carried by the body at Athe front side of the truck to overlie the side members and legs, and horizontal work engaging projections on the plate to project forwardly therefrom, an elongate verticaly disposed ratchet rod secured to the support to project upwardly therefrom and extending through the header and beam, a releasable latch mechanism secured to the beam to engage the rod and prevent downward movement of the rod and support relative to the frame, a pawl mechanism secured to the head to engage the rod and prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rod and support, and a crank pivotally carried by the frame and connected to the carriage and adapted to shift the carriage, rod and support vertically relative to the frame.

No references cited. 

